The Unfruitful Vineyard

NCE upon a time in far-off Palestine

man

How

there lived a fine lad named David. All through his boyhood as he looked about him he saw the beautiful and profitable vineyards, he longed for the time when he should become a and have a vineyard of his own. lucious would be the grapes for food; how refreshing their juice when pressed out and drunk fresh from the vines, and when he sold the grapes how prosperous he would be. He could help little lame Esther, feed poor old Abraham, and shelter the little children of his dead kinsman.

And now the time was come. His father took him outside the city, pointed out a fine large tract of land, and gave it to him. It was to belong to him and to his children for

ever.

The soil was fine, but there were many stones; it was grown up to wild vines and brambles; there was no hedge about it to keep the wild animals from destroying the vines, nor any watch-tower from which to discover enemies and drive them away.

But David was young and strong and he rejoiced in his land and his heart beat fast as he thought of the splendid vineyard he was to have by-and-by.

He lost no time in beginning to make his dream come true. Early and late he toiled

under the hot sun. He cleared off the stones and the brambles, and he set fine, strong grapevines and carefully trimmed them so they might yield heavily. And he fenced it all about and built a watchtower so that the wild beasts and other enemies should be kept out. He did everything possible, and at last, after spending so much time and hard labor, he felt that he had a right to expect a rich harvest.

But, alas, when he went to gather the vintage he found that in spite of all he had spent upon the vineyard, the good vines had been choked out by "wild grapes," that is, by weeds and vines. Instead of the grapes, lucious and valuable, there were poisonous berries.

No grapes for food, no money to help others, no hope of a good vineyard, for already all had been done that could be done. And so, sorrowfully, he abandoned it. The

hedges were broken, the watch-tower fell down, and the wild beasts ravaged it at will. (See Isaiah V: 1-10 for the essentials of the story.)

The True Story of Paul

NCE upon a time in a fine American town, there lived a young man and his wife. They had a beautiful home and many things to make them happy. Only one thing they lacked. They longed and prayed for a little boy to love and train.

At last their prayer was answered: the father held in his arms a dear little son. He was named Paul. They were almost too happy to speak. Often they hung over the baby's cradle and talked of the care they would give him, how happy he would make them and of how good and helpful to others he would be when he became a man.

I can't begin to tell you how much they loved the little boy. They were always trying to make him happy. His father worked, oh, so hard, to earn the extra money for his food, clothes, books, and toys, the mother to give him the right kind of food, to care for his clothes, and to keep him well. They took great care to teach him to be truthful and unselfish, and to give him the right kind of playmates.

It was as though they were always in a watch-tower watching to see that no enemies got in to steal his health or happiness or goodness.

Once he was dreadfully sick. For a long time the doctor came every day and they feared they would lose their little boy. Day after day and through many long nights they watched over him, scarcely taking time to eat or sleep until at last he got well again.

But they didn't mind all the money they spent or how hard they worked to take good care of him because they loved him and looked forward to the good man they expected he would be.

He was a bright, loving little fellow, and studied well so he got along nicely at school. Almost before his father and mother knew it, it was time for him to go away to college. They feared to have him go away, but as they had done everything they could and had

taught him the best they knew, they let him go. They had a right to expect that he would pay them back by doing right and making a good man of himself.

For a time he did finely in college. Then some of the college boys laughed at him and got him to using cigarets although he knew he ought not. He thought the smoking did not hurt him any because for some time he could not see it himself. When he got through college and went to work hard, he smoked more and more, and then he began to drink and do other wrong things. His father and mother grieved so that he stopped some of his wicked ways, but try as hard as he could, he could not stop smoking. He knew it was making a slave of him, but he couldn't seem to help himself. Then the smoking began to make him very sick. His body was broken down by all this and the wrong things he had done so he could not get well, and after some time he died.

The splendid man his parents had hoped for was spoiled. Their boy was lost. After all they had done to help him be a good useful man he had spoiled himself and left them in sorrow alone. They could never be happy again for there is no sorrow in the world so great as that which parents feel when they see their children spoiled and lost.

LESSON SUGGESTIONS

Purpose of the Lesson. To impress children with the thoughts of (1) how much they have cost in money and labor and love; (2) that this expenditure by parents and teachers is not for themselves, but for the sake of the fine men and women these children are to be, and of their helpfulness to others; (3) that in view of all this expenditure parents have a right to expect "good fruit"; and (4) that it isn't "square" for a child to spoil with cigarets or alcoholic drinks or any kind of wrong doing, the man or woman which it has cost the parents so much to make possible. Even if a wicked child seems to deserve the punishment it falls even more heavily on those that love him.

Lesson Suggestions for Younger Children. Tell the story of the vineyard very simply but graphically. Bring out the points clearly: the expec

tation of the owner; his long hard toil; his disappointment at not getting a harvest as he rightfully should; the fact that unfruitfulness deprives others of good; the desolation of the unfruitful. Get the children to see that when after everything possible has been done to make the vineyard fruitful and then it yielded no harvest, it deserved the destruction that came to it.

Then tell the story of Paul (which in the main actually happened). bringing out the points given in the "Purpose of the Lesson." If it is desired to use this for an anti-alcohol instead of an anti-cigaret lesson tell a similar story of some boy who fell, through moderate drinking. Unfortunately such cases are so common that teachers know of several from which the one best adapted can be selected.

Apply it to the children themselves, leading them to see that all the first part is practically the story of their Own lives. What do their parents do for them? Have they been cared for in sickness, etc.? Why do parents make such sacrifices for them? What do their parents have a right to expect from them? How do your mothers feel when you do wrong? Lead the children to see that when they do wrong or do not do all they can at school and elsewhere others always suffer. Paul might have said that if his smoking hurt him he would be the only one to suffer. But was it true?

In speaking of "Paul" tell the children that it is true that his is an extreme case. Smoking doesn't very often lead to so much harm. But if it happens that once in a while "cigarets did it" in a case like this, and he was a man grown, not a boy, we can see that it is dangerous. None can tell beforehand whether he might not suffer so too. He wanted to stop but could not.

From the data given (pp. 114, etc.) show that the boy who begins to smoke suffers almost immediately physically, mentally, morally and, a little later, economically, and that the damage done in these precious growing years can never be fully repaired. Show how growth depends upon the proper action of the lungs, blood vessels, nervous system and nutrition, and how tobacco, by interfering with such action, makes healthy development impossible.

POINTERS FOR USE IN OLDER CLASSES. (Temperance S. S. Lesson, May 21, 1911. Isa. V: 1-10.)

My well beloved. What does it cost in time, strength, money, love and anxiety to rear a boy? Note, also, that all the sacrifices of our patriots have been largely for him, "posterity." The vineyard well represents the boy as well as that collection of individuals we call a nation.

Fruitful hill: good natural endowment. Made a wine press: trained the child so that his ability might serve himself and others.

Fenced in, and built a tower: the protection of good environment and exclusion of enemies to character.

Brought forth wild grapes: poisonous berries; "wild oats."

What could I have done more? Parents, teachers and friends can do much to help, but the time very soon comes when the child must decide and act for himself partly or entirely. Each is really "self-made."

I will take away the hedge from the vineyard and it shall be eaten up, etc. God works through natural laws. It is not that He desires to leave one defenceless but the action of the law makes it certain that the defences will be destroyd. When a boy begins to smoke or to drink he himself breaks down the protection of good training and environment which his friends have built about

him.

It shall not be pruned or digged but there shall come up briars and thorns. Forest land if entirely cleared up is soon overgrown with underbrush, the well cultivated garden with weeds. No cultivation means briars and thorns; thistles cover the untilled ground.

The use of cigarets, tobacco or liquors dulls the mental and moral powers. (See statement by Probation Officer Copp and others). Boys or girls may thus put themselves where cultivation of gifts cannot help them, or at least only in a moderate degree.

He looked for judgment, for righteousness, but found none. What can be expected from degenerated bodies, minds and hearts?

Of a truth many houses shall be desolate. How many thousands of boys and girls are ruined by narcotics. No desolation in any home begins to equal that from children spoiled, disgraced, lost, and no power can undo the wrong. Reformation may prevent new misery but cannot obliterate the old.

Ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath. i. e. seven and one-half gallons of wine. Seed of a homer about 11.1 bushels, shall yield an ephah, about 1.4 bushels. Instead of receiving 40-, 60-, or 100-fold as nature provides, the yield is far less than the planting.

FOR SENIOR CLASSES.

In the place of the names of Israel read "America." Review briefly the history of (1) the founding of the nation by selected men and women and the ways in which we may well believe that Providence has intervened in favor of America; (2) the "oppression" found in the place of "judgment"; (3) discuss the ways in which the cigaret manufacturers, and the liquor traffic (each) "has joined house to house" till in many parts there is indeed "no place" and "houses are desolate"; and (4) the duty of patriot and Christian (a) to better local conditions; (b) to help save the nation and (c), the best means to effect such betterment.

As a preliminary to this lesson read "The Thin Baker, Crust of Civilization," by Ray Stannard (April American) and Richard Pearson Hobson's congressional speech, "The Great Destroyer," copies of which can be obtained free upon application to Congressman Hobson.

Ders who, like one recently met, are willing to OUBTLESS there are many conscientious teach

teach temperance truths to their girls, but who feel that there is little to teach of special interest to them and that they do not need the warning against drink as nearly all boys do. But this is a great mistake.

Girls need to be taught the truth (a) so that they may always and intelligently throw their influence on the right side; (b) because they are to be teachers and mothers, hold the welfare of the race in their hands; and (c) because alcoholic drinks do constitute a grave menace to them as well as to boys, for

some

(1) Social temptations may abound; (2) may be peculiarly susceptible to the effects of alcohol through heredity or impaired nervous or physical condition and the use of a comparatively small amount may result in inebriety; and (3) a single indulgence in wine may result in the girl's downfall, for it is a well-known fact that girls are frequently drugged in this manner, and even if no drugs are present in the drink excepting the alcohol, it in itself is often capable of serving the purpose of ruin. Girls should be warned very particularly against drinking with strangers, men or women, under any circumstances whatever.

In presenting the temperance lesson to girls (and there is much which is equally helpful in teaching boys) the excellent and authoritative article by Dr. Henry Smith Williams in the Ladies' Home Journal (p. 8. issue April 1, 1911) will be found most helpful. As the magazine is available almost everywhere, we furnish only the outline which may be used in connection with it. The girls should be directed to read the article carefully, and be ready to discuss it in class. If each makes an outline or abstract of it, the lesson will make a much deeper impression. Not only should the warnings be clear cut and definite, but the lesson of the personal responsibility of each should be earnestly pressed home. The Price a Woman Pays for Alcohol I. ALCOHOL TENDS TO MAR BEAUTY.

1. The skin is likely (a) to become thickened, and blotches and pimples appear, or (b) to become dull, leaden, or bloated in appearance.

2.

H

The vital organs as stomach, liver, kid

How He Lost His

ERE is a true story of how a young Stocktonian, a college graduate, lost life's golden opportunity, a story with a strong lesson for all young men, and for parents as well.

In a prominent Stockton family is a young man graduated from one of California's leading universities. That young man wanted a position. He desired to take up railroading and to enter the clerical department of one of the large companies. His parents were intimately acquainted with an ex-Congressman, formerly of Stockton, but now a resident elsewhere. Thinking that the former Congressman's influence might be of some avail in securing a situation for their son, on a recent visit of the former legislator to Stockton they broached the matter to him.

The ex-Congressman at once promised to use his influence and stated to the parents that

1. General effects on nervous system (see p. 81) are to coarsen personality and greatly impair judgment and self-control.

2. The drug effect of alcohol even when used in small quantities increases susceptibility to temptation while at the same time it decreases modesty and self-control.

III. ALCOHOL MENACES THE WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN.

1. The offspring of drinking mothers are apt to show impaired vitality which may be manifested in non-viability, nervous diseases including chorea, convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy, etc.

2. The use of alcohol by nursing mothers injuriously affects their infants because (a) the milk becomes unsuited to build up healthy bodies; and (b) the poison appears in the milk causing the infants to be restless or irritable, or, quite possibly, to have convulsions. Many of such children afterwards become drunkards.

Golden Opportunity

he felt quite certain of being able to secure a position for the young man. The gentleman then visited San Francisco, and going to the office of a high official of the Southern Pacific Company, with whom he was well acquainted, told the railroad man that he would like to secure a good position for a young man with whose family he was quite intimate.

The young man is a university graduate and a bright young fellow, was the way the exCongressman recommended the young Stocktonian.

Why, certainly, replied the railroad official. The Southern Pacific Company always has room for bright, capable young men. Send him

to me.

The ex-Congressman returned to Stockton and assured the parents that he had secured a position for their son. He told them to send the young man down to see the high railroad

official, and that the latter would put him to work. The ex-Congressman then went to his home. About a month later he visited Stockton and called on the family to see how the young man was getting along. He found the family surrounded by gloom.

"We thought you said it was all fixed," they said. "But our boy went down to see Mr. B. and he hasn't gone to work yet." "Then something must be wrong. I'll see

about it."

Deeply chagrined and highly exercised, the former legislator hastened to San Francisco to see the railroad man.

"Why didn't you give that young man a position?" demanded he of the railroad man. "I told his parents that you would put him to work, and now you've thrown me down."

"It is true," replied the Southern Pacific official, "that the young man of whom you speak called to see me. When he came I was busy and he had to sit in the ante-room for five minutes. But the time was too long for him. He couldn't wait there five minutes without pulling out a sack of tobacco and rolling a cigaret. The Southern Pacific needs bright and ambitious young men, but it has no room for boys who vaporize their brains with tobacco or blow smoke through their nostrils."-The Home Alliance.

LESSON SUGGESTIONS

If

Use the above story as a point of contact. each boy is directed to interrogate some business man as to his practice in regard to hiring cigaret smokers and the reasons therefor, and the results of the investigation are discussed in class, the boys will see that it is a typical case. Lead the boys to see that employers need employees who are neat; polite; mentally quick, accurate, and able to concentrate; ambitious, strong, vital and enduring, i. e., who are thoroughly trustworthy. Draw from experience and from the matter elsewhere in this Journal to show specifically how cigarets tend to impair all these necessary qualifications. Be fair and dispassionate. Convince the boys' reason. "Don't preach but teach."

Helps in Curing the Tobacco Habit

A

S a temporary aid to one in breaking up the habit Dr. O. Clayton Jones says (London Lancet) there is nothing better than peppermint drops. A boy cannot smoke with one in his mouth and for an hour after it is dissolved tobacco will not blend kindly with the taste that remains.

"It is seldom" says another English writer, "that a man discovers his bondage to the filthy habit until he seeks to abandon it. Then he finds too often that he has parted with his will-power as a part of the price of his indulgence.

"A cure calls for entire abstinence from tobacco, clean and wholesome living, with an abundance of pure air. Vapor baths and sim

ilar eliminative treatments will help to cleanse the system, which must be braced by gentle tonics. [Lupulin tablets (2 grain) will help the nervous symptoms.] A complete restoration to health may require some length of time. This will depend upon the extent to which the health has suffered. But a determination to be free from the influence of tobacco backed by a faithful resort to all possible physical, mental, and moral aids to purity, will in most cases soon accomplish a blessed deliverence from the effects of the unclean vice."

A more complete scheme of treatment may be found in an article by Dr. T. D. Crothers in the JOURNAL (p. 134, May, 1910).

The Teacher's Responsibility

A

YOUNG man on failing to secure a re-election as principal of the high school remarked: "I can't understand why it is a crime for me to smoke when every member of the Board of Education smokes and no one says a word about it."....

The teacher who loves children and who realizes the power for good or for harm placed in his hands by the office of teacher, has no difficulty in understanding why the community demands more of him morally than of other people. One who cannot understand the reasonableness of this discrimination ought never to be licensed as a teacher.

In schools where two per cent. of the boys drop out of school as a result of cigaret smoking under a superintendent who does not smoke, five per cent. drop out for the same reason under his successor who smokes.

To be responsible for a habit that takes just one boy out of school and places him in the alley is bad enough. Some time no one will be permitted to teach in the public schools or in the normal schools or colleges who indulges in smoking or in the moderate use of liquor. The sentiment is such at the present time that eminent educators fail to get the enjoyment out of these practices that is afforded to those engaged in other lines of work.-—Nebraska Teacher.

Smoking as a Handicap

From a study by EDWIN C. CLARKE, of the Students in Clark College, Worcester, Mass., 1906-1909.

*Only one sixth (16 per cent.) of the non-smokers were athletes but they won nearly one-half (49.1 per cent.) of the atheltic honors. "As a rule, the non-smoker is mentally superior to both the occasional and the habitual smoker."-Clarke. Lower scholarship in smokers is not only the result of smoking itself, but is bound up with athletics and club life. "Smokers, atheletes and fraternity men have lower scholarship records than other students."-Dr. Meylan, Columbia Univ.